TEMPO MARKINGS

Allegro

Andante

PrestoAdagio

LargoModerato

Tempo

Literally translates to time The speed or pace of the musicHow fast the music should feel

Usually found at beginning of a piece or section

Metronome marking in BPM (♩=120)Descriptive word/phrase (Allegro)

Found in different languagesItalian is common

History

Tempo has not always been indicatedBefore tempo was notated, it was understoodMusical forms, genres, or moods determined tempo

Minuet = moderateScherzo = fastBallad = slow

Baroque period is when tempo markings began to be used regularly

Beats Per Minute (BPM)

Number of beats within a minute

Notated ♩=“number”♪= “number” or any other note length= “number”

Gives an exact tempo

Used as guideline

Basic Tempo Markings

AdagioSlow and stately69-76 BPM

AndanteWalking pace76-108 BPM

LargoVery slow40-60 BPM

Basic Tempo Markings

AllegroFast, quickly120-139 BPM

PrestoVery fast168-200 BPM

ModeratoModerately108-110 BPM

Largo

Very slow

Adagio

Slow and stately

Andante

Walking speed

Moderato

Moderately

Allegro

Fast, quickly

Presto

Very fast

“When you sit down and think about what rock ‘n’ roll music really is, then you have

to change that question. Played up-tempo you call it

rock ‘n’ roll; at a regular tempo you call it rhythm and

blues”

-Little Richard

Review Questions

1. Define tempo.

2. What does BPM stand for?

3. Where is the tempo marking found in music?

4. How many basic tempo markings are in this power point?

5. List them from slowest to fastest.